The Bully Pulpit

Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir overlooking Yosemite National Park.

Wait, He Was A Republican?

"Walk softly and carry a big stick!" Have you ever heard that phrase? Do you know where it came from? Well, that was said by President Theodore Roosevelt with regards to his foreign policy. That tells you a lot about a man who in many ways was larger than life. After all, there aren't many people who after being shot would go on to give a speech with a bullet still in their chest, but Theodore Roosevelt did. He was a passionate and opinionated man in many areas, and one of those areas, which not everyone knows, was the conservation of national resources.

No Duh's and Head Scratchers

What contributions did John Burroughs make to conservation in the early 20th Century? What influence did he have on Theodore Roosevelt? Have you ever heard of him before?

What influence did Frank Chapman have on Theodore Roosevelt? What organisms did they share a passion for? How do you think this passion helped shape Theodore Roosevelt's view of nature. Do you think this influence would have been the same if another organism had occupied his attention?

Are you surprised that the demand for feathers for hats had such an impact on wildlife? Had you ever heard of this before? Can you think of a similar situation occurring today? How do you think situations like this should be dealt with?

Today the population of the United States is over 300 million people, and the population of the world is approaching 7 billion people. In 1900, the population of the United States was 76 million people, and the world population was 1.6 billion. How do you think this change would affect Theodore Roosevelt's view of nature and the preservation of nature? Articulate your thinking as fully as possible.